The Founding of HSA-UWC

David S.C. Kim
June 1974

Our church work was first begun in Pusan and Taegu, and later in Seoul, with the efforts of Won Pil Kim, Lady Hyun Shil Kang, Yo Han Lee, Su Kyung Lee, and others.

Hyo Won Eu, C. W. Lee and I began in early 1954 actively witnessing to recruit new members from the Seoul area, distributing both English and Korean literature. Beginning in the month of March 1954, when a strong foothold was achieved in the Seoul area, the need to set up an organization for the work was seriously discussed. In a small rented room, the formation of an organization was initiated.

Five members were present -- Father, Hyo Won Eu, C. W. Lee, David S. C. Kim, and H. M. Eu. It was in this tiny room that Father submitted to us three names, asking us in all seriousness to choose the one most suitable for our new organization. They were all written in Chinese letters, and two of them I do not even remember now, probably because they were not relevant to our movement. But the third name was the one that we all agreed upon, that which we now use for identifying our work: "Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity" (HSA-UWC). I translated our final choice into English for a small sign board on which were written both Chinese and English letters. I had a little difficulty in translating it, because Holy Spirit implies one of the Trinity as taught in orthodox Christianity, but in Korea it means holy, or spiritual association (Sil-Yung). I could find no other way to translate the original Chinese letters.

After this was accomplished, we moved into a tiny, two- bedroom house called "The house of three small doors." The small signboard was hung up on May 3, 1954. Nobody in the world realized the significance of the birthday of HSA-UWC in Seoul, Korea at this tiny, cottage-type house, located at Book-Hak Dong, Seoul, Korea.

From that day on our movement officially began, with the purpose of uniting world Christianity and further uniting all souls and all faiths. The official date of dedication was announced retrospectively as May 1, 1954, even though the signboard was hung up on May 3.

Even after the official formation of HSA-UWC, repeated, unbearable persecution and hardships confronted us. The tiny signboard was damaged by vicious vandals and knocked down to the ground many times by opponents and betrayers. But that same signboard endured all these tribulations. Since 1954, it has been a symbol of our victory and hope for the future of all mankind. Along with the small signboard we have all shared the common tears, toils and sometimes heavenly joy, too.

Of all the accomplishments I have been able, with God's help, to achieve. I am most proud of the fact that I was fortunate enough to have been one of the five living participants in the establishment of HSA-UWC in the year 1954 in Seoul, Korea.